The mortality rate for children under one year of age in the communities where the Pastoral da Criança works is 60% less than the national average - which includes rich and poor children. These results are even more impressive having in mind that the Pastoral works in poor and misery areas, where such rates are usually twice as high the national average.

          Such data shows that, acting organized and developing human solidarity, communities can change themselves. This is how malnutrition and infant/mother mortality can be reduced and families can be educated, especially women, as agents of social change. Cultural, human and Christian values such as solidarity, fraternity and respect for each other are developed in the family and community environment.

          Other outstanding results are the reduction in violence and marginality and the return of families to ethical values that preserve the best qualities of community life. We can safely state that the problem of violence in the family that affects thousands of children every year in Brazil is very much reduced in the families that participate in the Pastoral da Criança. It is an effective way to prevent child abandonment by the family, a situation resulting from children going to the streets to fight for survival and to escape a hostile environment at home.

          If all needy communities could have access to such programs, not only would death and illness be reduced, but also violence and marginality. We cannot ignore the fact that a better distribution of wealth, and land, education, health and proper nutrition, environmental sanitation and access to employment are fundamental requirements for peace and justice in the country.